Community members gathered Saturday for the annual Run Back to School event through Washington Park.

The event aimed to get students focused on having a successful school year.

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“This has to be our year in terms of getting those results that we need that are so important,” Dr. Darienne Driver said. “A lot of people are rallying around the school system and making sure our students have the support they need. I’m very optimistic, but we have a lot of hard work to do.”

The money raised at the event benefits Milwaukee Public Schools’ youth recreation programs.

“We use those to purchase uniforms, equipment, PE items, all sorts of things that support our youth programs,” Nick Spence said.

Supporting those programs is not the only reason people showed up.

“We need to come as a whole at these times. There's violence going on and things like that, and I believe that if we come together now that we'll make a change in Milwaukee,” Darian Carson said.

“I think it really does show that there's a lot of good things going on in the city. At the same time, unfortunately, we get some national exposure for the challenges we have,” Mayor Tom Barrett said.

Many who participated said they’re ready to take on the school year with energy, enthusiasm and support from the community.